Auto-folder



May 5, 1964 H. K. GILLMAN 3,131,614

AUTO-FOLDER Filed Sept. l2, 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet l e 22 i F/G. 26 i WWE@ 241.

IIIIIIIIIIPII STHTION #l May 5, 1954 1 x H. K. GILLMAN i 3,131,614

AUTO-FOLDER Filed Sept. l2. 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 l l 46 HMO/ 0 K. cama/v H. K. GILLMAN May 5, 1964l AUTO-FOLDER 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 12, 1962 INVENTOR.

BY HROL K. G'LM/N TTORNEYS May 5, 1964 AUTO-FOLDER Filed Sept. 12, 1962 H. K. GILLMAN 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 l 'hul INVENTOR HHROL K. GILLMHN BY da@ Mm WJ/1 May 5, 1964 H. K. GILLMAN AUTO-FOLDER 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. l2, 1962 May 5, 1964 H. K. GILLMAN 3,131,614

AUTO-FOLDER Filed Sept. l2, 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 52 INVENTOR L, ...fl HAROLD K. G/LLM/M/ BY www @M /LL 97' TOR/VEYS H. K. GILLMAN May 5, 1964 AUTO-FOLDER 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Sept. l2, 1962 INVENTOR.

HHROLD K. GlLLMHN HTTORNEYS May 5, 1964 H. K. GILLMAN 3,131,614

AUTO-FOLDER Filed Sept. 12, 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR HROLD K. @/LLMHN BY ww 44%@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,131,614. AUTO-FOLDER Harold K. Giiinian, Albany, NX., assigner to Tobin Packing Company, Enc., Aibany, NX., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. l2, 1952, Ser. No. 223,209 lil Claims. (Cl. 933-52) This invention relates to an automatic carton folder and, more particularly, to an apparatus designed to handle carton blanks in sheet form and fold them in such a manner that a carton may be eventually formed for tubular articles such as frankfurters.

In the packaging of tubular meat products, such as sausage products, it has been found desirable to place two parallel superimposed rows of such products in prepackaged form for selling as well as display. A package for frankfurters with which the present invention is primarily concerned, provides for a lower layer thereof encircled by a band having upwardly projecting resilient flanges adjacent its side edges. These flanges serve as gripping means for holding the upper layer of frankfurters in position. Under such circumstances, the products will be retained during the check weighing and wrapping operations. At the same time, these iianges will maintain the frankfurters in the desired superimposed relationship and the package in a generally rectangular configuration. This carton also holds unused frankfurters in an assembled or semipackaged relationship once the consumer has opened the package.

Naturally, considerable time and expense, valuable and costly man hours would be required and consumed if the entire packaging operation were to be conducted manually or by hand.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for reducing these drawbacks and disadvantages by automating part of the packaging cycle.

Another object is to provide an automatic carton folder capable of handling a carton blank in sheet form and fold it into a desired and predetermined configuration fatcilitating the reception and ultimate packaging of tubular products such as frankfurters.

A further object is to provide an automatic folder for cartons possessing a minimum number of parts, each individually simple and inexpensive to construct and assemble, such that an efficient and inexpensive apparatus is presented for folding cartons at a minimum of cost and expenditure of manpower.

An apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a main frame supporting a drive feed and folding mechanisms for cooperating to process a carton blank. An upper deck on which carton blanks are passed through the contemplated folding operation is supported by the frame. In this connection, a holder is mounted at the rear end of the upper deck for receiving a plurality of carton blanks in a vertically stacked relationship and maintaining them in this position as the individual blanks are fed therefrom.

The lowermost blank of the stack is automatically dispensed from the holder by means of a reciprocal feeder actuated by the drive mechanism. The dispensed blank will, under such circumstances, be shifted horizontally to the initial folding station. The folding mechanism, also located on the upper deck, will at that time initiate the fold of the blank along preplaced score or fold lines previously formed in each blank.

A second reciprocal feeder, synchronized with the rst blank feeder, shifts the partially folded blank to the next folding station at which the folding mechanism causes this blank to be folded beyond the desired extent.

The thusly folded blank will now be picked up by a third feeder, synchronized with the other two, to pass 3,131,6i4f Patented May 5, 1%64 ICC this. blank out of the folding mechanism and into a conveymg means for the blank. This blank will now be transferred to further packaging stations at which the frankfurters are placed in the carton. The blank will retract or return to a desired preselected folded condition from the over extended condition caused by the folding mechanism on the upper deck because of the inherent memory of the material employed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a somewhat preferred embodiment thereof:

FIG. l is a somewhat schematically illustrated top plan view of a packaging line in which the carton folder of the present invention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of a series of carton blanks depicting the several stations of the folder and the operation performed at each;

FIG 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the folded carton as produced by the folder of the present invention with a lower layer of sausage product, such as frankfurters, placed on the bottom tray of blank;

FIG. 4 is a similar perspective view of the blank completely folded such that it bands the lower layer of franks on the bottom tray and, at the same time, defines an upper tray for receiving a top layer of the product;

FIG. 5 is another perspective View showing this upper layer of frankfurters placed on the upper tray with the thusly assembled unit being ready for processing through other stations of the packaging line which eventually encloses carton with franks in a suitable sheet material whereby a neat appearing package is eventually formed while, at the same time, a sturdy one for shipping, storage and display purposes and eventually human consumption;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken along the line SA-SA of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a top plan View of the carton folder associated with the leading end of the packing conveyor on which the frankfurters are manually placed in the folded carton;

FIG. 7 is a similar top plan view of the folder with the top covers removed to illustrate the carton feeder more clearly;

FIG. 7A is a similar plan view showing the carton feed in its advanced or forward position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the folder;

FIG. 9 is a rear end elevational View of the folder; partly in section;

FIG. l0 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line iti-lil of FIG. 7;

FIG. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary view in plan of the carton feeder by which carton blanks are fed from the carton stacker to the initial folding station;

FIG. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 7, illustrating a blank stop plate assembly;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 7, illustrating a spring loaded pusher assembly; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the folder of this invention.

In the drawings, the carton folder of this invention is designated by the numeral 20 and is shown in FIG. 1 associated with other units constituting a packaging line for tubular products; and, more specifically, this invention is primarily directed to tubular meat products such as sausage products in which are included frankfurters. A typical frankfurter packaging line may include a packing or box conveyor 22 disposed at the dispensing or trailing end of the folder 2li. Frankfurters are placed in the carton blanks, folded by the folder 20, in two layers on individual trays provided by the folded carton blanks, as will be explained shortly. Each layer of frankfurters, that is the lower layer and upper layer of a particular carton, will ordinarily be placed in proper position by different packaging personnel placed along side the box conveyor 22. The dual layer of frankfurters, supported by the trays of the folded carton blanks, will be conveyed by conveyor 22 over a scale 24.

At this station, the individual packages are weighed prior to wrapping to prevent and assure against inadequate frankfurters in the individual packages or underweights in frankfurter packages. A scale 24, conveniently adapted to such applications is available commercially and known as the 1266 Selectrol Scale supplied by The Exact-Weight Scale Co., Columbus, Ohio. The packages of frankfurters of proper weight are then passed through a wrapping machine 25.

In this connection, wrapping, found suitable so as to protect the sausage products from contamination and, at the same time, provide an attractive appearance, is available commercially. This material is preferably tra'nsparent sheet material of a suitable thermoplastic and of the type which shrinks when subjected to an elevated temperature lower than its melting point and in which contacting surfaces thereof will seal together when subjected to heat and pressure. For this purpose, the present invention contemplates a sheet of tensilized polyvinylidene chloride or co-polymers thereof, tensilized rubber hydrochloride or tensilized polyethylene. A wrapping machine 26 capable of handling such material for this intended purpose is obtainable commercially as The Wrap-King Wrapping Machine supplied by The Wrap-King Division of Crompton and Knowles Packaging Corporation, Agawam, Massachusetts. The wrapped frankfurters, in tightly wrapped and sealed condition, are mounted in the cartons and then passed through a unit 28 which shrinks the sheet material to provide a neat package free from wrinkles with an attractive appearance. Such a unit is termed a dunker in the trade and is obtainable from the Cryovac Division of W. R. Grace & Co., Woburn, Massachusetts. The tightly wrapped, sealed and shrunk packages are then placed in cardboard cartons for shipping and storage where designated.

In the formation of a frankfurter package, in accordance with the present invention, the carton folder 20 performs a series of operations on a carton blank 32. This blank is preferably supplied in substantially flat sheet-like form of a sutlicient length to extend completely around at least the selected lower row of sausage products and, at the same time, provide an overlapping locking portion to hold the ultimately folded blank, now in the form of a locking or split band, in place. In this connection, and as stated, the contemplated package is particularly suited for wrapping frankfurters and the illustrated package is so illustrated. Sausage products of this type are frequently packaged in groups of ten with two superimposed rows of five each and the packages are also illustrated in this fashion. Sausage products in each row are in parallel contaeting relationship. The products in the upper row are preferably directly superimposed over the products in the lower row.

For this purpose, I have found that a relatively stiff paper, cardboard or fiberboard will serve very satisfactorily for the blank 32. Such board is preferably treated or protectively coated with wax.

The blank is divided by suitable fold or score lines 34 and 36 to define a base panel or tray 38. This panel 3S is wide enough to accommodate the lower row of sausage products. An interrupted score or fold line is formed in the blank 32 for purposes of dividing it into the top of panel or tray 42. This interrupted fold line also defines the side panel 44 with the fold line 34 whereas the fold line 36, together with interrupted score line 46, defines the other vertically extending side panel 48. Both of the side panels 44 and 4S are of suicient width to accommodate the height of the lower row of sausage products when the blank or band is assembled. The blank is also formed with a pair of cut portions defining respectively tongues 50 and 52. These tongues, when the blank is folded, possess a definite amount of resiliency or flexibility and will project vertically or upwardly at the side of the band when assembled. As shown, these tongues 50 and 52 are formed integrally with the 'side walls 44 and 48, respectively. Both of these tongues Si) and 52 serve as gripping means or members when the band is assembled for engaging the sides of the outer sausage products in the upper row to resiliently retain them in place on the top panel or tray 42. The end of the blank adjacent the interrupted score line 46, together with this line, defines a relatively short extension 54 which serves as a locking panel. In this connection, the top panel 42 is formed with a tongue S6, of somewhat reduced size, between the interrupted score line 58. When the 1elank or band is fully folded, the tongue 56 serves as a locking tab insertable through the opening defined by the cut-out portion 52. This insertion is facilitated by the bending of the upper panel 42 enhanced by the presence of the interrupted score line S8. The engagement of the locking tab 56, with surfaces of the cut-out portion S2', serves to retain the band or blank in assembled position as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As will be explained, the blank 32 is processed by the folder 2 from its initial substantially flat position through three stages. Thus, at a first station, the substantially flat carton blank 32 is folded along the score lines 34 and 36 such that the top panel 42 and side panel 44 extend at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal as is similarly the case with the extension 54 and the side panel 48. The folder 20 then folds these upwardly extending panels toward one another such that they are somewhat convergent at the next station so that when the folded blank emerges at the outlet station of the folder 20 the memory of the material from which the blank is made will retract these panels such that they extend substantially vertically or somewhat normally to the bottom panel 3S. These stations and various folds of the blank 38 are illustrated in FIG. 2.

In making the contemplated package, a plurality of sausage products, such as frankfurters 61, are provided at a frankfurter supply station 62 (see FIG. l). A predetermined number of the frankfurters 61 is placed on the bottom panel 38 between the vertically extending side panels 44 and 4S. As indicated in the above, one type of package will include five frankfurters in a row on the bottom tray 38 as shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the space between the side panels is such as to provide a rather snug lit or accommodation for the five frankfurters. y

The side panels 44 and 48 are also of a suflicient size to accommodate the transverse height of frankfurter. When the side panels are Vertical and the top panel 42 is folded along the interrupted score line 40 over the lower row of frankfurters, the locking panel 54 is folded inwardly along its interrupted fold line 46 in overlapping relationship with the top panel. The locking tab 56 is then inserted through the cut-out portion 52 to engage the surfaces of the panel extension 54, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Under these circumstances, the locking band or blank will snugly 'accommodate the lower row of sausage products and retain them in assembled position.

After the lower row of sausage products has been encircled by the locking band, the upper row of sausage products is now arranged on the upper panel or tray 42 between the pair of gripping tongues 5t) and 52. The same number of sausage products, notably live frankfurters in the present instance, are arranged on the upper tray such that these tongues resiliently engage the outer surface of the two end frankfurters to retain the entire row in assembled relationship as shown in FIG. 5.

As explained, after the sausage products and blank 32 have been assembled in this fashion, the package assembly is then check-weighed by the scale 24. If the assembly is underweight, one or more frankfurters from the upper row can be readily removed and replaced by frankurters of greater weight so as to make the proper weight. Conversely, if the assembly is overweight, one or more sausage products from the upper row may be removed and replaced by sausage products of lesser weight in order to reduce the extent of giveaway. When the proper weight has been attained, the entire package assembly is then tightly encased in a sheet of wrapping material so as to protect the sausage products from contamination and so as to present an attractive appearance. In this connection, the wrapper 26 may perform the desired wrapping operation with the unit 28 conditioning the wrapping material so as to provide a neat appearance.

Referring now to the automatic carton folder 20, it will be observed that its construction embodies a table 60 having a main frame including legs 62, each of which includes at its base an adjustable foot 64. The frame serves to conveniently mount a lower deck 66 and an upper deck 68 which may be comprised of a number of removable covers 68a, 68b and 68C. The table 60 conveniently mounts a carton blank hopper or holder 70 adapted to receive a number of carton blanks in stacked relationship. A carton blank feeding mechanism 72 is also included on the table 61D and functions to feed the lower most blank of the stack from the hopper 70 through the carton folding mechanism 74 also supported by the table 61B. A drive mechanism 76 operates the feeding mechanism 72 in processing a carton blank through the various stages of folding.

The hopper assembly 70 includes a number of vertically extending guide rods Si) secured to and extending from the upper deck 63. A fanning means 81 may be located towards the base of the rear of the hopper to relieve any adherence between adjacent blanks. A pair of rods 82, of this assembly, extend vertically from a gate 84 mounted by means of the opposed pair of screws 86 meshed with tapped openings in the table 66. The tapped openings in the upper deck in which the adjustment screws S6 are threaded extend into the bracket or riser blocks S7 which have extended therebetween a crossbar 3S which supports a stripper bar, to be discussed shortly, intermediate its ends. A vertically adjustable plate 89 of the gate regulates the size of available opening between the lower part thereof and upper face of the upper deck 68. In actual practice, this opening is adjusted to permit the passage therethrough of only one carton blank at a time from the stack contained in the hopper 7 il.

Referring now to the carton blank feed mechanism 72, it will be observed that a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, picker bars 90 and 92 are reciprocably mounted on the table 66 and, as will become evident, serves to feed each blank through the various stages of folding as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, these picker bars reciprocate together and have a predetermined stroke in feeding each blank from station to station; and to this end, are connected to one another by means of a slide plate 94 on which they rest through the intermediary of spacer blocks 96, 98 and 16). A centering bar 162 serves to center or, more specifically, maintain the desired reciprocation of the picker bars 5@ and 92; and in this connection, is anchored to the table frame by means of the bracket 104 and post 166. The sl-ide plate 94, as stated, in imparting the desired reciprocal movement is conveniently mounted on bearing blocks 1% and 116 along one side and blocks 112 along the other side. This block 112 rides on a guide rail 114 whereas the other two bearing blocks 16S and 116 are adapted to ride on the guide rod 116. The rod 114 is supported by brackets 118 and 12@ while the rod 116 is supported by the brackets 122 and 124. All of the brackets are, in turn, mounted on the lower deck 66.

In feeding the lowermost carton blank 32 from the hopper 70 to the first or initial station, a pair of spring loaded pusher assemblies 130 and 132 effectively cooperate towards this end. The spring loaded pusher 130 is biased and supported on the picker bar 92 whereas the pusher 132 is mounted on the bar 134 secured to the elongated spacer block 160. Each of the spring loaded pushers includes a pusher plate 136 secured to the channel 138 which is pivotally mounted on the supponting bar. The free end of the channel 138 is bevelled, as shown, to assure proper engagement of the pusher plate 136 with the lowermost carton blank 32 in the stack contained in the hopper 70. The channel 138 is biased outwardly with respect to the supporting bar by means of the compression spring 142. An adjustable screw 144 serves to adjust the extent of divergence of the channel 138 with respect to the bar.

In accordance with one cycle of reciprocation of the feeding mechanism 72, the pusher assemblies and 132 will, starting from an extreme rearward position at which the lowermost stack of carton blanks is disposed relative to the channel 138 and pusher plate 136 in the manner substantially depicted by FIG. 13. One completeforward reciprocal movement of the pushers 130 and 132 will serve to feed the lowermost carton blank 32 out of the hopper 72 through the opening of the gage 84 to the first carton blank folding station. In this connection, the weight of the stack of blanks will serve to lower the channel 36 as its free end 140 is cammed against the lower carton blank until such time as the leading edge of the pusher plate 136 engages the corresponding edge of the blank in an abutting relationship. When this blank has reached the first station, one of a series of blank stop assemblies is encountered. At this point, the blank stop serves to prevent retraction of the said carton blank when the feeder assemblies 130 and 132 reciprocate back to their starting positions at which the feeder or pusher plate 136 are in a position to feed another carton blank forwardly to the initial folding station.

Each of the blank stop assemblies employed and incorporated in the folding apparatus are mounted on the center bar 102. These assemblies include a stop plate 152 having a stopping edge 154 and a bevelled edge 156. A spring 158 is biased against the center bar 162. A cross pin 160 extends through the stop plate 152 and into engagement with the bottom face of the center bar 102 to thereby serve to maintain the plate in this position. Naturally, as a carton blank rides over the bevelled edge 156, a camming action will occur forcing the stop plate downwardly about its pivot pin against the bias of the spring 158. As the trailing edge of the blank 32 clears the bevelled edge 156, the spring 158 will urge the plate 152 upwardly until the transverse pin engages the underface of the center bar 102. The blank 32, to its tendency to return with the feeder assemblies 130 and 132 as they are retracted, will engage the stopping edge 154 of the stop assembly 150.

A pair of aligned and opposed picker claws 164 and 166 are mounted on the respective picker bars 9) and 92 and cooperate in moving the blank during the next reciprocation cycle. Each of the picker claws 164 and 166 include a forward pushing leading edge 16S and 171) respectively. When the picker bars 90 and 92 are reciprocated back to their initial rearward position immediately prior to the commencement of another reciprocal feeding cycle, the pushing edges 168 and 170 are disposed immediately behind the trailing edge of the blank 32 at station #1 of the folding mechanism 74. Under such circumstances, as the picker bars 90 and 92 commence their forward reciprocal movement, these pushing edges engage the trailing edge of the carton blank 32 to force this blank forwardly to the second station. At this station, a stop plate assembly, similar to 150 and designated by the numeral 174, will engage the trailing edge of the carton blank 32 upon reversal of movement of the feeding mechanism rearwardly to its starting position in the reciprocation cycle.

When the cycle is then reinitiated, the picker claws 176 and 178 push the partially folded blank to the third folding station; at which point the stopper plate assembly 180 will maintain the folded blank at this station upon the retraction of the picker bars 9) and 92 rearwardly. Another pair of picker claws 182 and 184 will then push the blank forwardly until such time as the spring loaded blank stop assembly 186 will prevent its retraction with the picker bars 9) and 92. In actual practice, it has been found that this last stopping plate assembly 186, under most contemplated conditions of use, is not necessary. At this point the operation of the box conveyor 22 provides for forward feed of the folded blanks and avoids the necessity of any means to prevent the retraction of the folded blank back with the picker bars 90 and 92 during the retraction stroke of the feeding mechanism 72. It should be understood that, as the carton blank is fed forwardly through each of the folding stations #1, #2, #3 and #4 from the hopper 70, a blank will ordinarily precede as well as follow it through the folding mechanism 74. This sequence of operation will continue until the desired number of blanks have been folded.

Turning now to the drive mechanism 76 for the feeding mechanism 72, it will be initially understood that these mechanisms are interconnected. The bearing block 112 of the feed mechanism 72 mounts a bearing 190 which pivotally mounts one end of a connecting rod 192. The other end of this rod is also pivotally mounted by means of a bearing 194 extending from a crank 196. This crank is pivotally mounted for rotation with shaft 198 pivotally mounted by means of a crank bearing block 200 supported on the lower deck 66. The crank is then driven by means of the drive chain 202 which rides on the sprocket wheels 204 and 266, with a third sprocket wheel 268 serving in an idler capacity. The sprocket wheel 284 is secured to the periphery of the shaft 198; and the wheel 208 is secured to the periphery of shaft 210 rotatably mounted by idler bracket 212 also secured to the top of the lower deck 66. The sprocket wheel 206, on the other hand, is rotatably mounted on shaft 214 through an interposed bearing 216. This sprocket wheel 206 is driven by the pulley 218 suitably secured thereto and also mounted for rotation by means of the bearing 216 on the shaft 214. This shaft 214 is suspended from the lower deck 66 by the bracket structure 228. This pulley, in turn, is driven by means of the drive belt 222 also coupled with a pulley 224 coupled with the output shaft 226 extending from the suitably geared down motor assembly 228 suitably bracketed to the undercarriage of the lower deck 66 as shown. The desired reciprocal stroke, quite obviously, is induced through the operation of the crank system. Thus, it will be readily understood that, when the motor assembly is actuated, the feed mechanism 72 will be imparted reciprocal movement to feed the carton blanks 32 through the folding station mechanism 74.

The folding mechanism 74 of this invention includes a pair of spaced ploughs 234 and 236 having outwardly extending flanges 238 and 240 respectively. Screws 242 and 244 engage with tapped openings in the upper deck 68 for purposes of securing the ploughs 234 and 236, respectively, in the desired carton folding position. In folding a blank 32, these ploughs cooperate with a cantilevered hold down plate 246 having its fixed end suitably anchored on the gate cross bar of 84. The free end of the cantilevered hold down plate 246 may include, if desired or necessary, `one or more weights 250. The plate 246, as will be readily appreciated, serves to hold down the blank 32 while the bottom tray 38 passes from station-to-station of the folding mechanism 74. In this connection, the ploughs 234 and 236, together with this plate, serve to fold the blank 32 along the score lines 34 and 36 through the various folding stations clearly designated in the drawlngs.

In summary, the carton folder 2t), fabricated in accordance with the present invention, is adapted to receive a number of blanks 32 in stacked relationship in the holder or hopper 71). The operation of the folder may now be initiated by starting the operation of the motor 228 which, through the drive mechanism 76, will start the feeding mechanism 72. In this connection, the rate of advance of the feeding mechanism is selected to correspond with the desired optimum output or production of the packaging line. Thus, as the crank 196 is caused to rotate, the connecting rod 192 will reciprocate the feeding mechanism '72 by forcing the plate 94 forwardly and then back to its starting position. Under such circumstances, the picker bars and 92 will reciprocate with relation to the center bar 102 as is the case with the bar 134. The pusher assemblies 13) and 132 will push the lowermost blank 32 of the stack in the hopper 70 at the start of the reciprocal feed cycle, to the first folding station at which the ploughs 234 and 236, in cooperation with the holddown plate 246, fold the blank to the position designated in FIG. 2.

In some instances, if the blank 32 includes a wax coating, the upper deck 63 particularly at the exit of the hopper 72 immediately before the discharge end of the gate may include a series of holes or openings, as shown, for purposes of reducing surface-to-surface contact and inter-surface frictional forces. In addition, if there is a tendency for the blank to drag at any end, the upper deck 68 can be formed with suitable openings to reduce friction at this location. On the other hand, the upper deck may be suitably treated or formed as a rigid surface for a similar effect. A suitably bent plate 251 may extend from the gate bar 84 to prevent the corresponding end of the blank 32 fed through the gate from moving backwards along with the retraction of the pusher assembly 132 during the return part of the reciprocation cycle.

The pusher assembly and 132 will now return to their starting positions at which they will be in a position to feed outwardly and forwardly from the hopper 70 and through the gate 84 the succeeding and lowermost blank 32. When the reciprocation cycle is repeated, the biank 32, partially folded at station #1, will be fed forwardly to station #2 at which the ploughs 234 and 236 fold the blank to the position shown in FIG. 2 corresponding to this latter station. The succeeding blank in line will at such time be at the rst folding station. Upon the start of the return part of the reciprocation cycle, the stop plate assemblies 159 and 174, respectively, are engaged by the associated blanks. The leading blank 32, upon the start of the next cycle of reciprocation, will be fed forwardly by the picker claws 176 and 178 to the third folding station. At such time, this blank 32 will be prevented from retracting with the picker bars 90 and 92 through the operation of the stopper plate assembly 180. The blanks, next in line, naturally will have undergone the particular folding stage represented by the station at which they are located. When the next cycle of reciprocation commences, the feeders or picker claws 182 and 184 will shift the blank at station #3 forwardly such that it is picked up by the box conveyor 22 for loading with the desired sausage products. The picker bars 90 and 92 are then retracted upon the return part of the reciprocation stroke. The stop plate assembly 185 will assure that this blank will not also return. The blanks will in succession undergo the various stages of folding at the particular stations of the folder 26. The desired reciprocal action and folding of blanks 32 will continue until such time as the folder is stopped by de-energizing the motor assembly 228. Naturally, as the stack of blanks lowers to a point at which there is danger of the hopper emptying, more blanks may then be added, bearing in mind that the stack may be raised at any point of the operation of the folder 20.

Thus, the aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although a single somewhat preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no 9 sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic carton folder for folding a carton blank of sheet material from a substantially flat position to a folded position at which a plurality of tubular products are adapted to be mounted thereon, said folder conlprising in combination:

a support;

a holder on said support for a plurality of at carton blanks in stacked relationship, said holder including a gate thereon for permitting therethrough one flat blank at a time fed from the holder;

a folding mechanism on said support for receiving the flat blank from said holder' and fold it into said folded position, said folding mechanism having a number of folding stations and including a cantilevered elongated hold-down plate having a free end for engaging and holding down in a substantially ilat condition the central portion of the carton blanks as they are fed therethrough by the feeding mechanism and a weight means on the free end of the plate for increasing the hold-down pressure of the plate on the engaged central portion of the carton blanks;

a feeding mechanism on said support for feeding the flat blank from the holder through the folding mechanism, said feeding mechanism comprising a reciprocal pusher means for intermittently feeding carton blanks sequentially through each of the folding stations; and

drive means on the support for driving the feeding mechanism.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support includes a table having an upper deck and a lower deck, said holder and folding mechanism being on said upper deck, and said feeding mechanism and drive means being supported by said lower deck.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the holder is comprised of a plurality of vertically extending rods for maintaining the blanks in stacked relationship.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the holder comprises a fanning means for temporarily separating adjacent blanks in stacked relationship to break the tendency of adjacent blanks to adhere to one another.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gate includes an adjustable means for accommodating therethrough carton blanks of different select thickness.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein spaced folding ploughs are disposed on opposed sides of the hold-down plate for cooperating therewith in folding peripheral edge portions of the blanks.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pusher means of the feeding mechanism includes a reciprocal pusher mount, individual pushers mounted on said mount for engaging a blank at the start of a reciprocation cycle and push it to the next folding station of the folding mechanism on their forward stroke and then return to their starting positions.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least one of the pushers includes a spring biased cam means for permitting such pusher to ride under the blank next-in-line during the return stroke of the reciprocation cycle.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein said support includes a number of stop means for preventing the blanks from returning with the pushers during their return stroke.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein at least one of the stop means includes a spring biased cam means for permitting such stop means to ride under a blank during the forward stroke of the reciprocation cycle.

References (Iited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 636,534 Krone Nov. 7, 1899 2,580,086 Fried Dec. 25, 1951 2,677,543 Ohrn May 4, 1954 2,844,076 Hoffmeister July 22, 1958 2,985,076 Toennies May 23, 1961 

1. AN AUTOMATIC CARTON FOLDER FOR FOLDING A CARTON BLANK OF SHEET MATERIAL FROM A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT POSITION TO A FOLDED POSITION AT WHICH A PLURALITY OF TUBULAR PRODUCTS ARE ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED THEREON, SAID FOLDER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A SUPPORT; A HOLDER ON SAID SUPPORT FOR A PLURALITY OF FLAT CARTON BLANKS IN STACKED RELATIONSHIP, SAID HOLDER INCLUDING A GATE THEREON FOR PERMITTING THERETHROUGH ONE FLAT BLANK AT A TIME FED FROM THE HOLDER; A FOLDING MECHANISM ON SAID SUPPORT FOR RECEIVING THE FLAT BLANK FROM SAID HOLDER AND FOLD IT INTO SAID FOLDED POSITION, SAID FOLDING MECHANISM HAVING A NUMBER OF FOLDING STATIONS AND INCLUDING A CANTILEVERED ELONGATED HOLD-DOWN PLATE HAVING A FREE END FOR ENGAGING AND HOLDING DOWN IN A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT CONDITION THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE CARTON BLANKS AS THEY ARE FED THERETHROUGH BY THE FEEDING MECHANISM AND A WEIGHT MEANS ON THE FREE END OF THE PLATE FOR INCREASING THE HOLD-DOWN PRESSURE OF THE PLATE ON THE ENGAGED CENTRAL PORTION OF THE CARTON BLANKS; A FEEDING MECHANISM ON SAID SUPPORT FOR FEEDING THE FLAT BLANK FROM THE HOLDER THROUGH THE FOLDING MECHANISM, SAID FEEDING MECHANISM COMPRISING A RECIPROCAL PUSHER MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY FEEDING CARTON BLANKS SEQUENTIALLY THROUGH EACH OF THE FOLDING STATIONS; AND DRIVE MEANS ON THE SUPPORT FOR DRIVING THE FEEDING MECHANISM. 